St Catharine’s is delighted that four alumni were awarded New Year Honours, which celebrate the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK:
Paul Baumann CBE (1981, Modern & Medieval Languages) was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) on the occasion of the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen;
Professor Janice Carruthers (1983, Modern & Medieval Languages) was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to Modern Languages;
Michael Eakin (1976, English) was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Music and to the community in Liverpool, Merseyside; and
Louisa Mitchell (1990, Oriental Studies) was appointed an MBE for services to Children and Young People.
Sir John Benger (1979, English), Master of St Catharine’s, commented:
“I am sure the wider St Catharine’s community will join me in congratulating Paul, Janice, Michael and Louisa on their New Year Honours and commending their many years of public service. It is heartening to be able to stay in touch with other alumni, hear how they are thriving in their chosen fields and share in their successes. I am sure many at St Catharine’s will take inspiration from the diverse career paths these four alumni have carved out since graduation.”
Clockwise from top left: Paul Baumann, Professor Janice Carruthers, Michael Eakin and Louisa Mitchell (credits: RIA & Mark McNulty)
Paul Baumann CBE LVO
As the Receiver General of Westminster Abbey, Paul is in effect the Abbey's chief executive, working closely with the Dean and Chapter on strategic and operational matters and on major events, including the Coronation service. He oversaw the way the Abbey rose to the complex challenge of delivering the Coronation in 2023 by leading the extensive programme of planning and preparation required for the successful delivery of this momentous event. He was previously appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2018 for services to NHS Financial Management, when he was Chief Financial Officer of NHS England.
He said, "Coordinating the Abbey's preparations for the first Coronation in 70 years was a great privilege, and seeing the moment of Coronation at close hand was an unforgettable experience. I am greatly honoured by the award of an LVO in recognition of the efforts of the whole Abbey team involved in this great occasion - from musicians and marshals to conservators and cleaners. It is all the more special, as Victorian Order awards are in the personal gift of The King, with whom we worked closely in the months leading up to the Coronation."
Professor Janice Carruthers MBE
Professor Carruthers is Professor of French Linguistics and Dean of Research in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast. She has become internationally renowned for her research on the French language, particularly on different varieties of oral French. She served as Priority Area Leadership Fellow for Modern Languages with the Arts and Humanities Research Council between 2017 and 2021, acting as a voice for modern languages research and championing the value of languages in the UK – with policy makers, universities and the general public. She is a Member of the Royal Irish Academy and a Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques.
She commented, “I am delighted that the importance of Modern Languages has been recognised in this way. For me, it has been a real pleasure to work with the AHRC and with the wider Languages research community across the UK to help raise the profile of research and teaching in Languages. Many schools and universities are going through a challenging period in terms of uptake, so it is all the more important to articulate the value to society of a discipline that expands personal horizons, builds relationships internationally, and deepens cultural understanding. I have been privileged to play a small part championing Languages, alongside many other colleagues.”
Michael Eakin OBE
As Chief Executive since 2008, Michael has led the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic through significant growth, including a refurbishment of the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, sustained growth in audience numbers and in the breadth and ambition of both the Orchestra and Hall concert programmes, and the development of groundbreaking health and learning programmes which continue to benefit the local community. He was previously Director of Arts and Leisure for Reading Borough Council before moving in 2001 to the role of Executive Director North West with Arts Council England.
He said, “I am proud and grateful to be awarded this honour. Throughout my career it has been a joy to work in the arts, in Reading, with the Arts Council, and for the last fifteen years at Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, which is central to the identity, and life of Liverpool, and, indeed to music in the UK. We reach right across our community, as well as nationally and internationally, entertaining and inspiring hundreds of thousands of people through our concert and learning programmes.
“I first presented live cultural events as Secretary of the Shirley Society when we brought the likes of Seamus Heaney, William Golding and Malcolm Bradbury to read their work at St Catharine’s. The sell-out audiences definitely gave me a taste for doing this for a living!”
Louisa Mitchell MBE
Louisa is Chief Executive of West London Zone, a charity launched in 2016 to help children and young people build the relationships, self-belief and skills they need to get on track socially, emotionally and academically so that they can take on life positively. The charity has grown significantly in reach and impact under Louisa’s leadership: starting with support for around 100 children in three schools in north Hammersmith, and over the years supporting 4,500 children in partnerships with over 60 schools and 50 charities across Hammersmith, Fulham, Kensington, Chelsea, Westminster and Brent.
She added, “I am delighted that the impact West London Zone is having as a charity and a partnership has been recognised through the awarding of an MBE in the New Year Honours List. My thanks go to everyone who has been involved in West London Zone, enabling children and young people in our communities in west London to get the right support and opportunities in the right way at the right time. I am grateful that the values instilled in me, and the many brilliant people I met during my time at Catz, inspired my approach to work and my desire to have a social impact.”
